Airlines may now “interview” you before you board a flight to the US

Brace for questioning at check-in and departure gates

Be prepared to be interviewed by your airline just before you hop on the flight to the US. Starting Thursday, 26 October, 2017, new security protocol laid down by the US requires airlines to put passengers through additional screening. This applies to all passengers flying into the country on any airline from anywhere in the world.

It isn’t fully clear yet how the screening will take place. Some airlines may hand out a questionnaire, while others may throw in a round of interviews before boarding. What is also not clear is what will this questioning entail. Cathay Pacific said its passengers will be subject to a short security interview at the check-in counters at Hong Kong airport. Those without check-in baggage “will also be subject to a short security interview” at the departure gate.

Emirates too has announced checks for its passengers to comply with America’s new safety requirements. “The new directive requires passenger pre-screening interviews at the check-in counter for originating passengers, and at the boarding gate for transfer and transit passengers,” Gulf News reports, quoting an Emirates’ spokesperson.

“The Transport Security Administration may require customers travelling directly to the United States to undergo enhanced security measures. Such checks may include the inspection of their Personal Electronic Devices, as well as security questioning during check-in and boarding,” Singapore Airlines said in a statement on its website. No Indian carrier has announced

All airlines have advised passengers to arrive early at the airport to allow enough time for boarding.

The enhanced security measures were announced by the US Department of Homeland Security on 28 June, and airlines were given four months to comply.